Kayvanna Shethnu Charitra Yane Mayano Adbhut Chamatkar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kayvanna Shethnu Charitra Yane Mayano Adbhut Chamatkar" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Kayvanna Shethnu Charitra Yane Mayano Adbhut Chamatkar (The Biography of Kayvanna Sheth, or the Wonderful Illusion of Maya)

Author/Publisher: Sasti Vachanmala (This appears to be a series or publication aimed at making Jain literature accessible and affordable.)

Overview: This text tells the story of Kayvanna Sheth, a wealthy merchant's son, and his life, particularly focusing on the influence of maya (illusion, attachment, worldly desires) and its eventual overcoming through spiritual understanding and righteous actions. The book is presented as part of a series designed to promote Jain literature to a wide audience, emphasizing its value for moral and religious guidance.

Key Narrative Elements and Themes:

• The Protagonist, Kayvanna Sheth: Kayvanna is born to a wealthy merchant, Dhanadatt Sheth. Initially, he is a pious and learned young man, detached from worldly pleasures and deeply inclined towards spiritual study. He marries Jayashri, a virtuous and beautiful woman, but remains indifferent to her due to his ascetic leanings.

• The Influence of Maya and Bad Company:

  • Jayashri's Suffering: Jayashri suffers due to Kayvanna's detachment. Her mother-in-law, initially sympathetic, observes Kayvanna's disinterest and Jayashri's unhappiness.
  • Maternal Intervention and Misguided Counsel: Kayvanna's mother, seeing Jayashri's plight, tries to intervene. However, in a misguided attempt to steer Kayvanna away from asceticism and towards worldly life, she and his father hire dissolute men to introduce him to sensual pleasures.
  • Descent into Sensuality: Kayvanna is drawn into the world of music, dance, and eventually, the company of a courtesan named Devdutta. His spiritual inclinations are replaced by worldly desires and sensual indulgence. This marks the dominance of maya in his life.

• The Courtesan Devdutta and Her Mother: Devdutta, while a courtesan, has some virtues and is genuinely fond of Kayvanna. However, her aged mother, driven by greed, pressures Devdutta to discard Kayvanna when his wealth from home stops coming. This highlights the transactional nature of worldly relationships fueled by material gain.

• The Turning Point and Return:

  • The Message through a Parrot: Jayashri, unable to bear the separation and her husband's abandonment, uses a trained parrot to send a message to Kayvanna, expressing her sorrow and longing.
  • Kayvanna's Disorientation: Upon receiving the message, Kayvanna initially dismisses it, believing he has only been away for a short time, indicating how deeply maya has clouded his perception of time and reality.
  • The Illusion and the Realization: The narrative takes a surreal turn. Kayvanna is magically transported (or experiences a powerful illusion) to a grand palace with four new wives and four sons. This experience is revealed to be a divine trick orchestrated by his former teacher. He is returned to the original temple where he had fallen asleep.
  • Reunion and the Birth of his Son: Upon returning home, Kayvanna finds that during his absence, Jayashri had given birth to a son, who is now twelve years old. He also reunites with his two original wives.

• The Recovery and Rise to Prosperity:

  • The Mysterious Medals: Kayvanna's son brings him four valuable jewels hidden in sweet medals. These jewels are sold, enabling Kayvanna to start a successful business, leading him to immense wealth.
  • Abhaykumar's Role: The wise minister Abhaykumar plays a crucial role in Kayvanna's later life. He recognizes the origin of the jewels and facilitates Kayvanna's reunion with his lost family (the four women and four sons from the illusionary experience).
  • Reconciliation and Family Life: Kayvanna reconciles with all his wives and sons, living a prosperous life.

• Spiritual Awakening and Liberation:

  • Encounter with Lord Mahavir: Kayvanna and his family visit Lord Mahavir's sermon. Listening to the sermon, Kayvanna experiences profound detachment.
  • Questioning the Source of Fortune: He asks Lord Mahavir the reason for his prosperity. The Lord reveals that it was the result of a virtuous act in a past life where, as a cowherd's son, he selflessly offered khir (sweet pudding) to a mendicant monk.
  • Acceptance of Diksha: Realizing the impermanence of worldly happiness and the importance of true spiritual merit, Kayvanna, along with his seven wives, renounces the world and takes diksha (ascetic vows) from Lord Mahavir.
  • Attainment of Keval Gyana: Through rigorous practice, penance, and meditation, Kayvanna attains Keval Gyana (omniscience) and ultimately liberation (Moksha).

Key Themes Emphasized:

• The Power of Maya: The story vividly illustrates how attachment to worldly pleasures and sensual desires (maya) can lead even a spiritually inclined person astray.
• The Importance of Good Company (Satsang): Kayvanna's downfall is directly linked to being in the company of wicked individuals. Conversely, his eventual spiritual upliftment is facilitated by righteous actions and association with spiritual teachers.
• Past Karma (Purva Karma): The narrative underscores the Jain principle that present circumstances, including wealth and happiness, are a result of actions performed in past lives. Kayvanna's initial wealth and eventual spiritual attainment are attributed to past good deeds.
• The Value of Renunciation (Vairagya): The ultimate goal achieved by Kayvanna is liberation, which is attained through detachment from worldly life and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and practices.
• The Role of Family and Society: The text touches upon family dynamics, marital relationships, and the influence of societal expectations. It also highlights the importance of righteous living for the well-being of the family and society.
• Jain Principles: The story integrates core Jain concepts such as karma, renunciation, non-violence (implied in offering food), spiritual discipline, and the pursuit of liberation.

Publication Context: The introductory pages highlight the purpose of "Sasti Vachanmala" (Affordable Reading Series) to spread Jain literature. It offers subscriptions for annual publications of valuable Jain texts, emphasizing their quality, affordability, and moral/spiritual benefit for readers of all ages.

In essence, "Kayvanna Shethnu Charitra" is a didactic Jain tale that narrates the journey of a soul through worldly temptations and eventual spiritual realization, serving as a moral compass for its readers.